Outcome of statutory consultation - January 2018

Proposal to change the catchment areas of both Duncanrig Secondary School and Calderglen High School to more effectively balance pupil numbers between the two secondary schools, and either

. Option One Associate the new, non-denominational primary school planned for the Jackton / East Kilbride Community Growth Area (CGA) to Calderglen High School; or

. Option Two Change the association of Greenhills Primary School from Duncanrig Secondary School which would mean pupils transfer to Calderglen High School as the local secondary school.

This report has been issued by South Lanarkshire Council in response to the consultation undertaken in terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010. This report includes recommendations of the outcome of the consultation which will be presented to the Executive Committee of South Lanarkshire Council.

Contents

1. Purpose of the report 2. Recommendations 3. Background 4. Distribution of proposal document and summary of responses 5. Pupil comments 6. Summary of issues raised by Education Scotland (formerly HMIe) and Education Resources response 7. Review of proposals by South Lanarkshire Council 8. Resource, risk and policy implications

Appendices

1. Distribution of consultation proposals document

2. Oral questions and responses at public meeting

3. Report by Education Scotland

If you need this information in another language or format, please contact us to discuss how we can best meet your needs. Phone 0303 123 1015 Email: [email protected] 1. Purpose of the report

1.1 The purpose of this report is to advise all stakeholders on the outcome of the statutory consultation exercise undertaken in respect of the proposal to change the catchment areas of both Duncanrig Secondary School and Calderglen High School and either 1. associate the new, non-denominational primary school planned for the Jackton / East Kilbride Community Growth Area (CGA) to Calderglen High School; or 2. change the association of Greenhills Primary School from Duncanrig Secondary School which would mean pupils transfer to Calderglen High School as the local secondary school. 1.2 This includes a report from Education Scotland on the educational aspects of the proposal and Education Resources’ responses to all questions and issues raised during the consultation period.

2. Recommendations

2.1 It is intended that the consultation report, along with any relevant documentation, will be considered by the Executive Committee of South Lanarkshire Council on 28 February 2018.

2.2 The Executive Committee will be invited to: . note the contents of the report and the views expressed by stakeholders; . agree the proposal to change the catchment areas of both Duncanrig Secondary School and Calderglen High School and associate the new, non-denominational primary school planned for the Jackton / East Kilbride Community Growth Area (CGA) to Calderglen High School.

3. Background

3.1 A consultation proposal document was issued as a result of a decision by the Executive Committee of South Lanarkshire Council on 27 September 2017 to consult on the proposal below:

To change the catchment areas of both Duncanrig Secondary School and Calderglen High School and either 1. associate the new, non-denominational primary school planned for the Jackton / East Kilbride Community Growth Area (CGA) to Calderglen High School; or 2. change the association of Greenhills Primary School from Duncanrig Secondary School which would mean pupils transfer to Calderglen High School as the local secondary school.

3.2 The statutory consultation, in terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 was carried out over the period 9 October to 1 December 2017 which included a public meeting held on 7 November 2017 in Greenhills Hall.

3.3 A consultation notice was published in the East Kilbride News on 4 October 2017. The notice included a summary of the proposal, information on availability of the proposal document, how written representations could be made and also details of the public meeting. A previous press article also appeared in the East Kilbride News on 28 June 2017.

3.4 Notification of the proposal was issued on 6 October 2017 to the consultees listed in Appendix 1. The full consultation proposal document was published on the Council website on 9 October 2017 and a copy made available from all libraries, Q and As and affected schools. 3.5 A public meeting was held on 7 November 2017 in Greenhills Hall. A summary of the oral representations made at this meeting is included as Appendix 2 in this report.

3.6 South Lanarkshire Council sent a copy of the proposal document to Education Scotland (Her Majesty’s Inspectors) on 6 October 2017 in its role as a statutory consultee. In addition, on 4 December 2017, Education Scotland was provided with a summary of all relevant written responses and oral representations made during the consultation period. Education Scotland then carried out its own review by visiting the affected schools and to hear and listen to the views of a variety of stakeholders.

3.7 South Lanarkshire Council received a copy of Education Scotland’s report on 18 December 2017. A summary of this report and Education Resources’ response to the key points is included in Section 6 of this consultation report and a copy of the whole document is included as Appendix 3.

4. Distribution of proposal document and summary of responses 4.1 Communication was issued to all key stakeholders at the affected schools informing them of this consultation. The pupil rolls of the directly affected schools are as follows: . Greenhills Primary School 367 nursery children and pupils . Calderglen High School 1,358 pupils . Duncanrig Secondary School 1,582 pupils

In addition, letters were issued to all parents of P6 and P7 children attending all non- denominational primary schools (pupils totalling 1,095) in East Kilbride signposting interested parties to this consultation and inviting them to the Public Meeting being held on Tuesday 7 November 2017.

4.2 The total number of responses that were received was 276.

Table 1 Responses Number In favour of the proposal and Option 1 144 (associate new primary school in Jackton / CGA to Calderglen High (parents/others) School) 117 (staff) In favour of the proposal and Option 2 12 (associate Greenhills Primary School to Calderglen High School) Not in favour of the proposal and suggesting an alternate option 1 Undecided 2 TOTAL 276

4.3 A breakdown of those responses by consultee designation is shown overleaf.

Table 2 Breakdown of responses

Response Parent Parent of Parent of Parent of Parent of Local Staff Other to proposal Council of pupil at pupil at pupil at pupil at Resident affected Greenhills Calderglen Duncanrig another schools Primary High Secondary primary School School School school In favour of 2 3 82 0 17 30 117 10 proposal and Option 1 In favour of 0 1 1 4 4 1 1 0 proposal and Option 2 Not in favour 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 and suggesting alternative option Undecided 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 Total 2 4 84 4 22 31 119 10

4.4 Comments received from stakeholders are detailed overleaf. The written responses contained are relatively unedited, but information that would lead to the identification of individuals has been removed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

4.5 The recurring themes raised within the comments were:

. Concerns around the proposal to change the current catchment association of Greenhills Primary School with Duncanrig Secondary School which is seen as a strength; . travel distance, transport and safe routes to school; . staffing / resources.

4.6 Table 3 – Written feedback received and Council response

Theme Designation Option Comments / Issues raised Council response selected Capacity in Parent Duncanrig No option Duncanrig Secondary School was built for 1600 pupils but We can confirm that the efficient operating capacity both selected already has nearly 1800. I believe that Calderglen High of both Duncanrig Secondary and Calderglen High schools School does not have many vacancies either. Schools is 1898. Current pupil rolls (as at Census 2017) are: . Duncanrig Secondary – 1562; and . Calderglen High – 1358. There will be many more new houses at Shields Road. Children from the Shields Road development would Children going to live there will need to go to school too. attend either Duncanrig Secondary School or St But where? Surely there was some thought given to this Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School for secondary before planning permissions was granted. education.

Continuity Parent 1 I write to express my concern on the proposal to change Children with additional support needs will not be for ASN Calderglen High the Greenhills association to Calderglen from Duncanrig - affected by this proposal. Recommendations about pupils School from what I understand there are facilities within both secondary placement and consequent transition Greenhills and Duncanrig that benefit additional needs arrangements for secondary education will continue youngsters and a move to Calderglen would cause to be considered by the Additional Support Needs unnecessary stress and inconvenience to parents/carers, allocation group in partnership with parents. Any children and teaching staff. The move would threaten the siblings of pupils transitioning to Duncanrig ongoing care of these youngsters. Secondary School for ASN provision may follow My understanding is that Calderglen has capacity to take without the need for placing requests to keep on an additional primary school and, while not without its families together if parents wish. challenges, establishing links with a new school, would be preferable to severing links with one school and creating the need to establish links across more schools than absolutely necessary.

Theme Designation Option Comments / Issues raised Council response selected Continuity Parent 1 Obviously a change in catchment is going to occur! Based It is recognised that Option 1 would represent less for primary Calderglen High on the options given, option #1 has the lowest impact on of a change - a brand new primary school with no pupils School teaching staff, school resources and parents. pre-existing links would have a new cohort of pupils I can see no logical reasons why one primary school transitioning to Calderglen High School. Any pupil should have to go through such an invasive re-alignment moving to the new non-denominational primary process just to allow a new school, not yet built, to align school serving the Jackton / East Kilbride with a "secondary" school which is in East Kilbride terms, Community Growth Area from another primary no more local that Calderglen. I feel that new alignment school would have been due to a conscious between Jackton and Calderglen would be a great addition parental choice. Any pupils in this category would to the Calderglen Community. Let's hope common sense be fully supported leading to the transition to prevails. secondary school.

If Option 2 was selected, Education Resources would ensure that the change process was managed with as little disruption as possible to pupils and staff with a phased approach to a modified transition programme. Continuity Parent 1 A new school would be easier to induct than an older more As above. for primary Calderglen High established school. pupils School Continuity Parent 1 I believe Option 1 makes the most sense in terms of being As above. for primary Calderglen High the most cost effective and more importantly least pupils School / Mount disruptive for all pupils from both sides of the catchment. I Cameron Primary feel using South Lanarkshire resources to implement Option 2 (which in my opinion is the most disruptive option) would not represent a maximum use of resources available. Additionally I cannot see a convincing argument that guarantees no children will suffer while implementing Option 2 - for children the transfer process from primary to secondary is fragile and needs care. Option 2 appears to be fixated with negligible travel distances at the expense of the pupils involved which, to me as a concerned parent does not make common sense. Continuity Careers Service 1 It seems ridiculous to disrupt two schools and it appears to As above. for primary me that a more seamless transition is to align pupils from pupils the new school to Calderglen. It would present major problems for parents if this option is not followed i.e. potentially children from the same family at different schools. How they could possibly arrange for pick ups etc. Theme Designation Option Comments / Issues raised Council response selected Continuity Careers Service 1 It seems sensible to only have one school making changes As above. for primary since regardless of which option is selected pupils will pupils require to be transported. Duncanrig already has established links with Greenhills Primary School and it would be a shame to disrupt this. Continuity Member of the 1 The less disruption to pupils’ education the better. Moving As above. for primary public pupils’ high school affects transitioning. From the point of pupils safety, the roads around the school of Calderglen are not suitable for pupils to commute from Greenhills. Stroud Road has no paths suitable to walk. The safest route involves a much greater distance to travel compared to the displacement of Greenhills and Calderglen High School. If option 2 were to happen, more paths would have to be built and / or suitable transportation should be arranged free of charge.

Continuity Other – Member 1 I believe that option 2 would be detrimental to the life of As above. for primary of the Calderglen Greenhills Primary School as it would mean the second pupils High School change of catchment area for the school in the past 10 Chaplaincy Team years, it previously having been associated with Ballerup High School. The implication of this would mean the upheaval of already established relationships between the school and Duncanrig and the establishment, over time, of these relationships with Calderglen High School. Well established processes and support mechanisms between Greenhills and Duncanrig would have to be uprooted and started again with Calderglen, with the knock-on financial and resource implications of this.

General Parent 1 I must say that the East Kilbride Community Growth Area is Comments noted. comment Calderglen High news to me and to a lot of people I have spoken to. In my School opinion it is a continued erosion of the greenbelt around East Kilbride. Also it is astounding that a new school is to The closure of the old Jackton Primary School be built when the one that was there previously was closed precedes the formation of South Lanarkshire and knocked down. Council in 1996. A new non-denominational primary school will be required to cater for increased pupil numbers coming from the East Kilbride Community Growth Area.

Theme Designation Option Comments / Issues raised Council response selected General Parent 1 Minimum disruption is key for everyone concerned – in Comment noted. comment Calderglen High particular, the students. Option 1 without doubt, offers this School as the best solution with this key focus in mind.

General Parent 1 If housing developments continue the town will need a new Comment noted. comment Calderglen High secondary school. Sounds like developers are having too School much say in the promotion of the new site, decision should be made on what is best for the whole community.

General Parent 1 I believe the school is too big as it is. There are too many Calderglen’s current school roll is 1391 but has an comment Calderglen High pupils. efficient operating capacity of 1898. School General Parent 1 I think Calderglen would be happy to home pupils from Comment noted. comment Calderglen High Greenhills but it would be easier and less hassle to have School the pupils from the Jackton Primary.

General Parent Mossneuk 2 I live in Jackton and pregnant. This decision affects my Comment noted. comment Primary School unborn child so I want to have my input. General Parent Mossneuk 2 Please think of the long term consequences for Jackton Comment noted. comment Primary School residents. Short term inconvenience can be managed. Siblings Parent Blacklaw 1 Why change the transition arrangements for Greenhills Siblings of pupils attending Duncanrig would be attending Primary School Primary School and risk siblings going to different High able to attend the same school to keep families different School? Pupils from Jackton area will need to be together. schools transported, regardless of High School alignment. So don't disrupt Greenhills - simply align Jackton to one secondary school.

Siblings Parent Greenhills 1 I must object to the change in catchment area for Siblings of pupils attending Duncanrig would be attending Primary Duncanrig Secondary as this means I will have 1 child at able to attend the same school to keep families different one high school and by the time my second child goes it together. schools will be a different one. So as a parent taking kids to school this is not viable as I need to go to work as well. Surely it should be the new school in Jackton that gets paired with Calderglen High.

Siblings Parent Greenhills 1 In favour of option 1. This is due to the fact that I want my Siblings of pupils attending Duncanrig would be attending Primary School daughter to attend the same high school as her older able to attend the same school to keep families different brothers. together. schools Theme Designation Option Comments / Issues raised Council response selected Siblings Parent Mossneuk 2 Overall this would make the most sense and be more cost Based on this specific address, the catchment attending Primary School effective for the council. I have children in P5 and P7 in secondary would not change and would remain as different Mossneuk Primary but reside in Gardenhall. If the school is Duncanrig. [Consultee was emailed to this effect]. schools built one of my children would be attending Duncanrig by then. I would also wish my other child to be attending Duncanrig and not Calderglen. Duncanrig is out closest Secondary School and they can walk from our residence, Travel something that could not be done if moved to Calderglen. Comments noted. distance, Greenhills Primary is nearer 2.8 miles from Calderglen transport High school to be precise and 7 mins by car. Being bussed and safe to the other side of East Kilbride from Jackton Primary is routes to ridiculous especially when you are passing a Primary school School that should be moved to that catchment. East Kilbride council are allowing the house builders to build excessive housing over the whole of the council zone without a thought to facilities or Schooling.

Staffing / Parent 1 There is already a lack of teaching staff at Calderglen with Recent staffing issues are not related to resourcing resources Calderglen High lessons being affected (e.g. Home Economics). or capacity within Calderglen High School but a lack School of / inability to attract teaching staff in certain subject specialisms.

Are there plans to look at how school will cope in terms of Consideration of the employee resources at each resources and capacity as this is very worrying! secondary school in terms of the increase of pupil numbers would continue to be provided by means of existing staffing protocols and agreed management structures. Other resources are allocated on a pro-rata basis in relation to pupil numbers.

Capacity Calderglen already seems stretched and I see no indication The reason for this proposal is to balance the pupils as to what consideration has been given to resources numbers more effectively between the two non- (staff, curriculum, capacity etc). For instance, would denominational secondary schools in East Kilbride Duncanrig not be a better option? What are the long term as Duncanrig have emerging capacity issues whilst strategies for already full high schools, taking into account Calderglen is projected to have sufficient capacity the number of planned housing developments? to take in additional pupils.

Theme Designation Option Comments / Issues raised Council response selected Staffing / Parent 1 The school would require additional resources, both staff Consideration of the employee resources at each resources Calderglen High and materials, if this arrangement is to be a success. secondary school in terms of the increase of pupil School numbers would continue to be provided by means of existing staffing protocols and agreed management structures. Other resources are allocated on a pro-rata basis in relation to pupil numbers.

Traffic and Parent 1 I have two areas of concern. Any appropriate road safety measures, specified by congestion Calderglen High 1. Has there been any thought as to the increased the Council’s Roads and Transportation Services, around School congestion on High Common Road when the number of will be undertaken. Enhanced facilities to cope with Calderglen pupils increases? At the moment, it is already heavily any additional bus drop off requirements as a result High congested at school start and finish times due to 3 primary of the proposal are will be provided should they be School schools and 1 High School all sharing the one road! assessed as being required.

Staffing / 2. Will there be additional teachers employed to cope with Consideration of the employee resources at each resources the additional intake? I have two children currently at secondary school in terms of the increase of pupil Calderglen High School where they are often left without a numbers would continue to be provided by means teacher as there is not enough cover which leads to them of existing staffing protocols and agreed falling behind in studies. management structures.

Traffic and Parent Undecided Whatever option is made, I am concerned about the Calderglen High School was designed to cater for a congestion Calderglen High increased level of traffic that will be using High Common much higher number of pupils than the current roll. around School Road. There are already 4 schools in the immediate area However enhanced facilities to cope with any Calderglen and further plans to increase the traffic levels will cause additional bus drop off requirements as a result of High issues as there are already traffic problems in the area. the proposal will be provided should they be School assessed as being required. Travel Parent 1 My son already travels to Calderglen and with the bus Comment noted. distance, Calderglen High service etc this is not a good idea to change. transport School and safe routes to school Travel Parent 2 Closest high school should be used as more resources Comment noted. distance, Calderglen High would be used at an additional expense (transportation) transport School from further travel. and safe routes to school Theme Designation Option Comments / Issues raised Council response selected Travel Parent Duncanrig 2 I believe it would make more geographical sense to change Comment noted. distance, the catchment of Greenhills Primary to be Calderglen High transport School and have children from the new Jackton Primary and safe feed to Duncanrig. This would probably save on the need routes to for school buses and most children could walk to their school catchment high school. Travel Parent Duncanrig 2 Option two would be my preferred choice. I believe this Comment noted. distance, would logistically be the most suitable option. transport, safe routes to school Travel Parent Duncanrig 2 1. This is not just for the children currently in the schools at Comments noted. distance, / Mossneuk PS / present but for the next number of years. It’s common transport Jackton area sense to alter catchment of nearest school. and safe resident 2. Restrictions for extracurricular activities due to distance routes to (even if it’s in the short term until infrastructure is in place). school 3. Social and emotional well-being of the children involved. Their friendship groups will be smaller as children tend to go to groups/activities in their area with the majority attending Duncanrig. I found my daughter’s emotional well being very grounded due to the number of other people she knew who had attended other primary schools in the near location who fed into Duncanrig. If she had gone to Calderglen, although she may have gone with the other kids in her school she would have been lucky to have known many others feeding from other schools in the Calderglen catchment area. This can be a major issue in the emotional well being of children. Friends are extremely important in these emotional rollercoaster teenage years. 4. A further point on friends is that their friendship group is more likely to be at the other side of East Kilbride which again could be extremely limiting as they grow more independent. 5. If the Jackton school is picked will parents in this area try There are times when parents want their children to and get placing requests elsewhere? I know I would. go to another school. They are perfectly within their 6. Additional carbon footprint e.g. yesterday is an example. rights to make a placing request. The bus left sharp for Duncanrig with only a handful of pupils on board. The rest of the students were left with Travel Parent Duncanrig having to make their own way to school. distance, / Mossneuk PS / 7. If Calderglen was the only school in East Kilbride there transport Jackton area would be no issues. But it’s not, so why shouldn’t children and safe resident (cont.) in the local area not be sent to the local school routes to 8. The children in Jackton would practically be passing one school high school to go to another one much further away. The (cont.) majority of houses they would pass would be in the catchment for Duncanrig. This practically doesn’t make sense. . On point 5 above I will give you a little about my background. Around 2002 my husband and I bought a house in Kittochglen East Kilbride. When I bought the house I understood the catchment at the time was Hunter Primary School then Calderglen High School. Which I had no issue with as they were both good schools and still are. As school was approaching for my daughter and I got to know other parents in the local area I discovered very few actually went to the catchment area school. Most either put placing requests into Kirktonholme Primary School then Duncanrig or Carmunnock Primary School then Newton Mearns High School. Knowing we were planning on 3 children I was faced with 6 placing requests and my children growing up in an area with few friends, we were lucky enough to be in a position to move to be in a catchment area of a primary school and feeder secondary school. It really struck me when at the leavers’ assembly when my daughter was in p7, how out of roughly 60 kids only 5 were going to different schools. The majority were all going to Duncanrig. It makes a difference!!! The curriculum for excellence wants to create an environment in schools to nurture good citizens. Emotionally stable kids = good citizens. . I attended the meeting held in Greenhills and whilst I recognise the issues that could affect the Greenhills area in the short term, I consider the longer term issues far outweigh these. As pointed out at the meeting whoever is realigned a transition period will have to take place and no matter what is decided it will unfortunately affect some families.

Travel Parent Duncanrig . Unfortunately representation of the proposed Jackton distance, / Mossneuk PS / development is very low as the houses haven’t been transport Jackton area built yet, therefore these future residents don’t have a and safe resident (cont.) say in the future for their children. Please, please routes to make the right decision for all children involved. They school are our future. I love East Kilbride; it is a fantastic (cont.) community to bring children up in. Keep our community together!!

Travel Parent Greenhills 1 If Option 2 is implemented, we feel it creates a severe The Council provides school transport for distance, Primary School safety risk to pupils of Greenhills Primary School as the secondary school pupils who live two miles or more transport route to and from Calderglen High School is unsafe. The away from the catchment secondary school by the and safe route is via an industrial estate which as adults we would shortest safe walking route. routes to be wary of walking. Pupils in the Jackton area currently school use cars or buses via the council to attend their current education locations. Therefore Option 1 would have less disruption to those pupils as it is currently the way they travel.

Travel Parent Greenhills 2 I think it makes complete sense to move the Greenhills Comments noted. distance, Primary School school to Calderglen rather than having Jackton pupils transport travelling half way across the town. Environmentally there's and safe no argument. My main concern would be that there needs routes to to be a more direct bus route to serve the kids coming from school Greenhills as I don't believe that there is at the moment. As a parent of two kids at Greenhills school I'd be happier with Option 2.

Theme Designation Option Comments / Issues raised Council response selected Travel Parent Hunter Alternative TRAVELLING TO AND FROM SCHOOL Comments noted. distance, Primary School proposal . Greenhills Primary distance to Calderglen High School. transport By Car - Via Stroud Road 2.8 miles, Via Greenhills and safe Road 3.5 miles. On Foot - Via Stroud Road and High routes to Common Road 2.3 miles (approximately 46 mins), Via school The Murray Road 2.6 miles (approximately 49 minutes), Via High Common Road 2.5 miles (approximately 49 minutes) . Jackton Primary distance to Duncanrig High School or Calderglen High School. No information available. School has not yet been built. . Kirktonholme Primary distance to Calderglen High School. By Car - Via West Mains Road 2.4 miles, Via West Mains Road and Strathaven Road 2.7 miles. On Foot - Via West Mains Road 2.1 miles (approximately 42 min), Via Kirktonholme Road 2.3 miles (approximately 43 minutes) These are from primary to high school. Obviously not a true reflection as pupils would not have a leaving point of a primary school to travel to high school. However, it is clear that Kirktonholme Primary school is nearer to Calderglen High school than Greenhills Primary is. I have read that Calderglen High School can accommodate 300 + more children. This consultation does not state the numbers for the new proposed primary school in Jackton so cannot form opinion based on pupil numbers. I am aware that currently Greenhills Primary has 308 pupils and Kirktonholme has 383. A few years ago Greenhills had more pupils, clearly showing that pupil numbers fluctuate. Kirktonholme is nearer and no need to waste build costly road from Jackton to Calderglen.

Travel Member of the 2 This is from a logistical point of view, as Jackton is closer Comment noted. distance, public to Duncanrig and Calderglen can be easily accessed by transport Greenhills via Stroud Road. and safe routes to school

Theme Designation Option Comments / Issues raised Council response selected Parent Parent Council – 1 Following our Parent Council Meeting of Monday 27th Comment noted. Council – Greenhills November 2017 and discussion with parents of pupils General Primary School within the school, surrounding the transition of pupils from Comments Greenhills to a secondary school, the Parent Council would prefer that the status quo continued and children would continue to go to Duncanrig. As a school and community, option one would be best. Parent Parent Council – 1 We strongly support Option 1 as we firmly believe it is in Council – Calderglen High the best interests of Calderglen High and indeed of General School education in East Kilbride. We wish to raise the following Comments points: . The Process. It seems that the process has been made overly Comments noted. complicated, but it didn’t start out this way. Originally around June this year, when the proposal first became knows, there was only 1 option. This single option was a straight forward alignment between the new Jackton Primary School and Calderglen High. Calderglen currently has capacity to handle the projected numbers that Jackton is expected to see whilst Duncanrig has no spare capacity. It therefore made economic sense to take the position that the Jackton children (non-denominational only) would come to Calderglen for their secondary education. We at Calderglen had bought into that proposal in so much as it adds to the Calderglen Community and the School is in the position to accommodate these projected numbers. Using SIMD data from the Scottish Government this addition would make Calderglen High an even more truly comprehensive school. What happened next was quite unexpected. After the summer break, at the start of the new 2017-18 term, we were made aware that this proposal had been withdrawn and a new one put forward with a 2nd option. There are parents of children that currently reside in The reasons for this have not been made clear although the Jackton and Thorntonhall areas. At present, there has been a suggestion that less than a handful of these children attend Mossneuk Primary School as Jackton primary school parents would prefer to attend the catchment non-denominational primary school Duncanrig? Odd since there are no current Jackton until the new primary school is built. Secondary Primary School parents and won’t be for several years. aged children currently attend Duncanrig Secondary School. Parent Parent Council – These details have been confirmed to us at our recent Council – Calderglen High Parent Council meeting, which was attended by our local General School (cont.) Councillors – at this meeting, they (Councillors) were asked Comments to give us an explanation of why the proposal had been (cont.) altered. We are not satisfied that we have been given any reasonable explanation as to why a new Option suddenly appeared. . Educational Issues. The Parent Council of Calderglen is committed to supporting Calderglen High to achieve the best learning environment we can create. It is well understood that no matter which option is chosen Calderglen will see new pupils attending and they will be warmly welcomed as part of the Calderglen Learning Community. What we have taken issue over is the unnecessary complications of the 2nd option would introduce. It is recognised that Option 1 would represent less Educationally, option 2 would see the Greenhills Primary of a change - a brand new primary school with no School being removed as an associated primary of pre-existing links would have a new cohort of pupils Duncanrig thus allowing Jackton Primary to take up that transitioning to Calderglen High School. Any pupil space. This of course means that Greenhills Primary moving to the new non-denominational primary would be required to realign with Calderglen High School. school serving the Jackton / East Kilbride Staff, pupils and parent fully grasp that links between Community Growth Area from another primary Primary and Secondary Schooling have never been more school would have been due to a conscious important and the need for effective curriculum planning, parental choice. Any pupils in this category would review and readjustment is crucial. This doesn’t just be fully supported leading to the transition to happen, it has been worked on for years with dedicated secondary school. transition teams and curriculum meetings and work streams. It is this potential disruption to which we have If Option 2 was selected, Education Resources taken exception. Over a 10 year period our Learning would ensure that the change process was Community has established strong curricular links, as managed with as little disruption as possible to Greenhills has done with their Learning Community, and pupils and staff with a phased approach to a the implications of change are considerable, not least for modified transition programme. Greenhills Primary and their curriculum. Areas such as languages, sciences, social subjects, English and Maths have been formulated around our 3-18 curriculum and for each Learning Community this is different. It’s one things to start from a clean sheet i.e. a new Primary with no existing links compared to the impact option 2 would bring, to having to effectively deconstruct existing relationships, existing mindsets even history! Furthermore, from a personal experience of the Parent Council Chair, Parent Parent Council – Greenhills has already been asked to be realigned from Council – Calderglen High Ballerup to Duncanrig at the time of the merger in 2007 and General School (cont.) is once again being asked to do so again. We believe this Comments a shocking position for any school to be placed in and to (cont.) have to, once again, look at fitting in with an already established curriculum for a new Learning Community with different approaches to transition and continuity of learning. In addition to that it means the link for siblings and benefits of staff knowing families is unnecessarily cut off. It is because of this we, as a Parent Council, have advised our Parent Forum that they should support the Option 1 consultation proposal, which in our opinion, offers Calderglen and all its community schools the best use of resources, both teaching and infrastructure, moving forwards. . Fully comprehensive schools across the town Through analysis of SIMD data from the Scottish Government, we felt when the single option was proposed that this would give Calderglen High an even better balance as a comprehensive school. Option 2 creates a Comments noted. very different balance within East Kilbride. . Distance and Transport At the recent consultation public meeting, held in the Greenhills community hall, it became apparent that the option 2 consideration for this proposal is one dominated by “transport” issues and not the educational implications Comments noted. and it is this that has given us the drive to make a stand for what we believe is the right thing to do. This is particularly relevant as neither option offers walking distance to school and transport is going to be required regardless. Some of the housing will end up being closer to Calderglen High in actual fact but will still require transportation. Furthermore routes to school from Greenhills, which may be needed for after-school clubs etc are not safe – new pavements will have to be built as parts of the road do not have pavements. Why has Greenhills been elected, particularly as it has had to realign already? There are other schools as near – South Park / Kirktonholme – which have safer routes to school for primary pupils.

Parent Parent Council – . Moral imperative Council – Calderglen High We are deeply uncomfortable at a proposal which seeks to General School (cont.) edge out one of the poorest catchment areas to Comments accommodate a bigger and more affluent house estate. In (cont.) a day of equity and closing the gap we do not believe this Comments noted. is a good message to give. Similarly, we would not be happy if any of our schools had been asked to realign then there was a clear-cut option to avoid this.

Finally, we reiterate that no matter which option is chosen, Calderglen will see new pupils attending and they will be warmly welcomed as part of the Calderglen Learning Community. Continuity Member of Staff – 1 Calderglen would become a fully comprehensive school It is recognised that Option 1 would represent less for primary Calderglen covering all ability ranges. To ensure the maintenance of of a change - a brand new primary school with no pupils the transition from primary to secondary, continuity is pre-existing links would have a new cohort of pupils important. transitioning to Calderglen High School. Any pupil moving to the new non-denominational primary school serving the Jackton / East Kilbride Community Growth Area from another primary school would have been due to a conscious parental choice. Any pupils in this category would be fully supported leading to the transition to secondary school.

If Option 2 was selected, Education Resources would ensure that the change process was managed with as little disruption as possible to pupils and staff with a phased approach to a modified transition programme. Continuity Member of Staff – 1 I prefer option 1 in terms of continuity for the pupils As above. for primary Calderglen involved. It would also require as few children as possible pupils being bussed across the town as currently Greenhills pupils do not need to be bussed at all. Educationally, the curriculum of Greenhills Primary and Duncanrig is already shaped and aligned. This would need to be redone with no advantage seen to Greenhills pupils. Greenhills Primary and Calderglen would require to begin a new liaison programme - thus meaning two secondary schools redesigning curriculum plans. Option 1 is the most straightforward and does not disadvantage any pupils.

Theme Designation Option Comments / Issues raised Council response selected Continuity Member of Staff – 1 I feel that option 1 is the best outcome based on As above. for primary Calderglen educational reasons. It will be an opportunity to build links pupils and develop curricular ties - in order to prepare pupils for their journey to secondary school. I also cannot understand why a school would not want to fight to retain one of their assigned primary schools. I feel that Greenhills are being used as a pawn - which is unfair for these pupils and families. The option of a new school being aligned to Calderglen is the best option. Continuity Member of Staff – 1 There are various educational reasons why I believe option As above. for primary Calderglen 1 is the only answer. The curriculum of the pupils at pupils Greenhills Primary is not aligned with Calderglen. It is extremely unfair to ask pupils to be moved catchment area and aligned secondary schools. We can start to build good links with a new school to prepare them fully for transition. All pupils need to be bussed regardless of any option so transport is irrelevant. How a secondary school wouldn't fight for their own primary school is beyond me. It's really unfair for pupils of Greenhills Primary. Continuity Member of Staff – 1 I don't feel it is morally ok to move the school with the most As above. for primary Calderglen deprived catchment to make space for a more affluent pupils cohort. Transitions with associated primaries have been built up over 10 years and would be unethical to change a school that has a settled curriculum. Transport will be needed for both options so this can't be taken into consideration. This is about educational arguments not transport.

Continuity Member of Staff – 1 Concerns of the impact of disruption of Greenhills pupils. As above. for primary Calderglen pupils Continuity Member of Staff – 1 Option 1 will result in the least disruption to the current As above. for primary Calderglen cohort in terms of transition from the primary sector. Any pupils other option would result in significant additional planning, preparation and disruption to the entire process. Continuity Member of Staff – 1 I believe that option 1 will provide a transition from primary As above. for primary Calderglen to secondary which will allow a consistency of curriculum pupils e.g. Continuity of languages.

Theme Designation Option Comments / Issues raised Council response selected Continuity Member of Staff – 1 This would mean no disruption to existing transition As above. for primary Calderglen arrangements and maintain existing family connections of pupils older siblings between Greenhills and Duncanrig. Continuity Member of Staff – 1 Would have massive implications for both transitions and As above. for primary Calderglen curriculum due to a different language being taught. pupils Continuity Member of Staff – 1 I feel it would be beneficial for option one as this would be As above. for primary Calderglen a fresh start and link with Jackton Primary. Pupils at pupils Greenhills Primary will already have links with Duncanrig - through older siblings attending the school and primary / secondary liaison. Pupils in Greenhills already study German in primary and it would be a natural progression for them to go to Duncanrig where German is offered on the curriculum. Transport to both schools may be required so pupils travelling to Calderglen from Jackton will only travel a short distance further.

Continuity Member of Staff – 1 Duncanrig and Calderglen already have a primary As above. for primary Calderglen transition programme. The associated primaries will follow pupils a different transition curriculum to complement the current secondary school.

Continuity Member of Staff – 1 Option 1 is more appropriate for primary transition / As above. for primary Calderglen curricular continuity to both Calderglen and Duncanrig High pupils Schools. Continuity Member of Staff – 1 It would be less disruption got transition from primary to As above. for primary Calderglen secondary if Jackton PS goes to Calderglen High. pupils Continuity Member of Staff – 1 It makes sense for the educational continuity of the As above. for primary Calderglen Greenhills pupils for them to remain aligned to Duncanrig pupils Secondary. Continuity Member of Staff – 1 Greenhills has already been realigned from Ballerup to As above. for primary Calderglen Duncanrig. Also they have German as their language as pupils does Duncanrig. Calderglen does not offer German so progression is not possible.

Continuity Member of Staff – 1 Greenhills has been aligned educationally to Duncanrig for As above. for primary Calderglen some time – curriculums are aligned. pupils Theme Designation Option Comments / Issues raised Council response selected Continuity Member of Staff – 1 I do not wish to see the realignment of another school but As above. for primary Calderglen there are other schools equally close – Kirktonholme, pupils South Park – with better, safer walking routes for pupils. Option 1 when it came out as the only option was a real boost to Calderglen and ensured more equity across the town with regards SIMD and being a fully comprehensive school. Why ask another school to realign its curriculum established as part of a learning community over 10 years then there is no need. Both options require transport of children. Greenhills Primary has already been realigned to Duncanrig from Ballerup. This Option (2) is an unfair proposal.

5. Pupil comments

Pupil views – Calderglen High School

Option 1 Associate the new, non-denominational primary school planned 879 for the Jackton / East Kilbride Community Growth Area to Calderglen High School. Option 2 Change the association of Greenhills Primary School from 11 Duncanrig Secondary School which would mean pupils transfer to Calderglen High School as the local secondary school. Undecided 27 Neither 2 Both options selected 1 Total responses submitted 920

Pupil comments

Option 1 . Let them go where they want. . There’s no need to cause people from Greenhills Primary to have to walk to school because either option, the school from Jackton will have to get a bus anyway. . I also think they should be able to choose which high school they went to because that might cause inconvenience with siblings and busses. . Makes sense as Greenhills pupils will have siblings at Duncanrig whereas Jackton will have no links. . I chose option one because I think it would be easier to get a new school into Calderglen than putting Jackton into Duncanrig then taking a school that has been going to Duncanrig for longer out. It would also stop commotion when friends, siblings and family are separated. . I chose option 1 because if Jackton Primary came to Calderglen then it would stop Greenhills having to move and stop all commotion coming along with them. Also Greenhills would have to travel longer and it would cause chaos. . If Jackton came to Calderglen it would stop a whole load of problems like brothers and sisters from being split up and Greenhills from being pulled out of Duncanrig. . I think that Jackton new school should come to Calderglen because it is less hassle and Greenhills don’t need to change. If they did change they could have to g et the bus instead of walking but Jackton pupils would need to get the bus either way and if Greenhills pupils changed they might not get to go to school with friends or big siblings but Jackton pupils will because the school is new. Or you could build a new high school for Jackton pupils. . It would make much more sense for the pupils of Jackton Primary to come to Calderglen High as it would save the hassle of changing the transfer protocol of pupils at Greenhills, whom already have plans to attend Duncanrig. . It would be easier and smoother transition. It would also save hassle of trading schools for the recommended school. . It would be easier if Jackton come here. . It makes more sense. . If Greenhills pupils suddenly change to Calderglen, siblings will have to travel to two different locations. It’s very silly. . More beneficial for Greenhill pupils to continue going to Duncanrig due to school work differences. . I would not wish to disturb the links and transitions already in place between Greenhills and Duncanrig. . I believe option 2 is not a good proposal whatsoever. I don’t understand why you would take kids that are on a certain curriculum and put them on a new curriculum and in a new school. . Build another high school to free up capacity. Should’ve kept the original six schools. . An alternative option could be that we give the option of which school they can go to. . Duncanrig has been affiliated with Greenhills for many a year. I feel it would cause unnecessary stress / outrage. Why change something that doesn’t have to be. Jackton can have a fresh start as whatever school they go to shouldn’t affect them through Greenhills have been preparing to attend Duncanrig. . Building a new high school, no matter how small, will take stress of teachers, budgets and students. It should teach German and French as those are the main languages taught at non- denominational schools. . If parents and their children at Jackton Primary decided that Duncanrig would be easier, would there still be transport to Duncanrig? What would be done to ensure pupils at Calderglen are not cramped or overcrowded? . It will be bad for the Greenhills pupils to get to Calderglen High as they will have to get a bus. People who live in Jackton will already get on a bus to school to Duncanrig so they may as well stay on for a few more stops until you reach Calderglen. . Jackton isn’t even built so it would make more sense if they came here.

Option 2 . Because it would be easier to get to for Greenhills.

Undecided . The pupils and / or their parents get to chose between the two.

Other comments . Change a primary school from Duncanrig to St Andrew’s and St Bride’s then move the new primary to Duncanrig which allows Greenhills to stay with Duncanrig and for the new primary to go to a closer school (Duncanrig)

6. Summary of issues raised by Education Scotland (formerly HMIe) and Education Resources’ responses

6.1 As part of the statutory consultation process, Education Scotland prepared a report on the consultation proposal by South Lanarkshire Council, addressing educational aspects of the proposal. This report is attached as Appendix 3.

6.2 Education Scotland recognised that both Duncanrig Secondary School and Calderglen High Schools are modern, purpose built schools with very good facilities for learning.

6.3 Education Scotland found, from its own discussions with stakeholders, that the two major concerns expressed were the possibility of siblings attending different high schools (for both options) and the potential upheaval associated with option 2 of re-associating Greenhills Primary School with its well established curricular links and specific transitional arrangements with Duncanrig Secondary School.

6.4 It was identified that the educational benefits of Option 2 (change the association of Greenhills Primary School from Duncanrig Secondary School which would mean pupils transfer to Calderglen High School as the local secondary school) were not sufficiently clear and that the Council would require to consider how to address the concerns raised should it decide to implement this option.

6.5 It was also highlighted that queries regarding travel and transport issues (safe routes to school, eligibility of free school transport and lack of available public transport), relating to both options, should be addressed by the Council in this report.

6.6 Response

South Lanarkshire Council welcomes the very helpful report and the recognition of the clear educational benefit of addressing the emerging capacity issues at Duncanrig Secondary School.

Possibility of siblings attending two different high schools From the feedback contained in written responses received by the Council, and also from Education Scotland’s own findings, clarification on what the possible outcomes for families are associated with each option is obviously still required. Although referenced in the Consultation Proposal Document that change would be phased, there is still a serious concern that siblings may require to attend different secondary schools.

With either option, pupils with siblings attending Duncanrig Secondary School would be entitled to attend the same school to keep families together.

Travel and transport issues The safety and wellbeing of pupils is paramount and issues relating to the travel and transportation of pupils will continue to be in this area, as across all schools, a significant challenge but an area of important focus for Council officers to work in partnership with parents to best meet families’ needs where possible. Normal council procedures for monitoring safe routes to schools and providing safe and accessible school transport would apply.

Changing established curricular links and specific transitional arrangements – Option 2 Education Resources have considered the impacts of implementing Option 2 and agree that minimising disruption to pupils, parents and staff and avoiding change to established links between schools would be the preferred option. However every effort would be made to ensure that the change process was managed with as little disturbance as possible to pupils and staff, or impact on learning and teaching, through a carefully managed and phased approach to a modified transition programme.

With Option 1, a brand new primary school with no pre-existing links would have a new cohort of pupils transitioning to Calderglen High School. Any pupil transferring to the new non-denominational primary school serving the Jackton / East Kilbride Community Growth Area from another primary school would have been due to a conscious parental choice. Any pupils in this category would be fully supported through the transition to secondary school.

7. Review of proposals by South Lanarkshire Council 7.1 The Council has reviewed the proposals having regard (in particular) to any relevant written representations received by the Council during the consultation, and representations made at the public meeting, and Education Scotland’s report.

7.2 After review, the proposal to change the catchment areas of both Duncanrig Secondary School and Calderglen High School and associate the new, non-denominational primary school planned for the Jackton / East Kilbride Community Growth Area (CGA) to Calderglen High School is recommended as this represents the least change for pupils, families and staff.

8. Resource, risk and policy implications

8.1 Resource implications

8.1.1 Property costs As this proposal aims to maximise the use of existing accommodation it represents best value and demonstrates the effective and efficient use of Council resources.

8.1.2 Staffing costs In terms of employee resources, this will continue to be provided in each school by means of existing process e.g. annual class configuration protocols and agreed management allocations.

8.2 Risk implications

The Council has a duty to conduct risk assessments under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulation 1999. Any current risk assessments at the school would be reviewed if the proposal is implemented.

8.3 Policy implications

8.3.1 Strategy This report supports Education Resources’ priorities for raising educational achievement and attainment and achieving efficient and effective use of resources.

8.3.2 Consultation This report describes the outcome of the statutory consultation process with all key stakeholders. Further consultation with pupils, staff, parents, Trade Unions and other stakeholders would continue if the proposal is approved.

Appendix 1 Distribution of consultation proposals document

Distribution list and how to access a copy of the proposal document

Notification of the proposal was provided to the following consultees: • The Parent Council of the affected schools; • The parents of the pupils at the affected schools; • Parents who have children who are expected to attend the affected schools within 2 years of the publication of this proposal document; • The pupils at the affected schools and the pupil committees and councils; • All South Lanarkshire Council employees at the affected schools; • Trade union representatives; • Community Councils within the affected locality; • All relevant users of the affected school.

A copy of the proposal document was also made available to: • All Elected Members of South Lanarkshire Council; • South Lanarkshire Youth Council; • Education Scotland (formerly Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education, HMIe); • The Constituency MSP of the affected school; • The MP of the affected school; • Police Commander for Lanarkshire Division of Police Scotland; • Chief Executive, NHS Lanarkshire; • Chief Executive, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport; • Area Commander, Scottish Fire and Rescue Services.

The steps listed below were also taken to ensure that the proposal document was widely available. • Notice of the proposals and of publication of the proposal document was placed within the East Kilbride News; • All affected schools promoted this consultation through existing communication routes (school newsletters, school website etc); • All non-denominational primary schools in the East Kilbride area highlighted this consultation by lettering the parents of pupils in P6 and P7; • The proposal document was also published on the South Lanarkshire Council website: www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk; • Twitter messages were used to raise awareness and let people know of the consultation; • The proposal document was offered in another language or format if required; • The proposal document was also available at the following locations:

a. Council Offices, Education Resources, Almada Street, Hamilton, ML3 0AA. Phone 01698 454102. b. All libraries in South Lanarkshire c. All South Lanarkshire Council Q and A Offices d. The schools affected by the proposal Appendix 2 Oral questions and responses at public meeting

Note of Public Meeting held on 7 November 2017 in Greenhills Hall, East Kilbride at 6pm.

Panel Members

DD Des Dickson Chair of Meeting and Head of Education (East Kilbride) VS Vance Sinclair Partnership Development Manager, Schools Modernisation Team DH David Hinshelwood Support Services Manager LK Lisa Kirkwood Schools Modernisation Project Coordinator

Note takers: Fiona Roach, Charlie Sneddon, Lisa Kirkwood.

12 Total number of attendees.

4 Parent / Grandparent – Greenhills Primary School 3 Local Elected Members 2 Parent and Jackton Resident 2 Chair / Vice Chair Calderglen High Parent Council 1 Parent – Calderglen High School

Purpose of meeting: To share information on the statutory consultation on the proposal to change the catchment areas of both Duncanrig Secondary School and Calderglen High School, and either associate the new, non-denominational primary school planned for Jackton / the East Kilbride Community Growth Area to Calderglen High School or change the association of Greenhills Primary School which would mean pupils transfer to Calderglen High School as the local secondary school.

DD opened the meeting at 6.05pm starting off by thanking those in attendance and stressing the importance of stakeholders being able to express their views on the proposals to change the catchment areas of both Duncanrig Secondary and Calderglen High Schools and encouraged the submission of formal responses to the consultation. The format and purpose of the meeting was explained and the panel introduced. It was highlighted that a note of tonight’s meeting would be taken. DD then passed to LK to explain the statutory consultation process and timeline.

Consultation process and timeline LK explained that the statutory consultation is a formal process with prescriptive timelines, the purpose of which is to give people the opportunity to express their views on the proposal. This consultation commenced on Monday 9th October with the feedback gathering part of the process ending on Friday 1st December 2017. This is more than the 30 school day period that is legislatively required. The Public Meeting is also part of that legislative process which is a very important part in ensuring wide participation and feedback. Although a note of tonight’s meeting will be taken, the most effective route to feedback is through the formal response form to ensure your views are captured accurately.

The role of Education Scotland (Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education) in the statutory consultation process was then explained. The Council will submit a summary document to Education Scotland that will include all the feedback gathered, via written responses and a note of tonight’s Public Meeting, together with feedback from pupils. Education Scotland will then independently verify the views of stakeholders by carrying out its own dialogue with affected schools, pupils, parents and the wider school community. Education Scotland will then make a formal response to the Council with its findings focussing on the educational impacts of the proposal and the two options.

It was explained that a final consultation report would then be published by the Council, early February 2018. This report will include all the feedback from stakeholders and Education Scotland. The responsibility falls to the Council’s Education Resources to respond to all comments made and make a final recommendation in light of that feedback.

This report has to be publicised for at least three weeks prior to the Council’s Executive Committee making a decision on the proposal. The next steps being to prepare a report to be submitted to the Executive Committee on 28th February 2018 to enable a final decision to be made. LK then passed back to the Chair.

Background to the proposal DD highlighted that it is the Elected Members that make the ultimate decision and welcomed the three Local Elected Members in attendance this evening. DD then passed over to VS to give the background to the consultation proposal and summarise the two options as stated in the Consultation Proposal document.

VS explained the background to the East Kilbride Community Growth Area (CGA) and the potential number of non-denominational secondary aged pupils expected to be generated once the housing was fully developed. Although a new primary school for the area would be provided, it had been identified that Duncanrig Secondary School, which is currently the catchment secondary school for this area, would have insufficient capacity to cope with the 300 additional secondary aged pupils expected. Duncanrig Secondary School is due to breach its efficient operating capacity by the year 2022 if the EK CGA remained within its catchment area.

The Council is looking at a Best Value solution of utilising spare capacity within Calderglen High School so has proposed the rezoning of either the catchment area of the new non-denominational school proposed for the Jackton / East Kilbride Community Growth area or Greenhills Primary School. Greenhills Primary School is the closest geographically to Calderglen and has the right pupil roll level to effect the change needed to make a difference to Duncanrig’s pupil roll.

DD thanks VS for the summary and opened up the floor for questions.

Questions and answers

Grandparent – Greenhills Primary School Why was Greenhills Primary School selected and not Castlefield or Crosshouse Primary School? Both these schools are on the 21 bus route? If it was Greenhills being moved, would you put a bus on?

DH confirmed the Council’s secondary school transport policy which is bus travel is provided if you stay more than 2 miles from your local school. Also, the sizes of the two other schools suggested would not meet the numbers required to reduce the roll at Duncanrig Secondary School.

Grandparent – Greenhills Primary School What if you stay under 2 miles away but it’s not a safe walking route? The best way for you to know if it is safe is to walk it yourself.

DH explained that if the decision was to change Greenhills Primary School’s catchment secondary school from Duncanrig Secondary School to Calderglen High School, the addresses of all pupils would be mapped out and checked for safe walking routes and further dialogue would take place with parents.

Chair Parent Council, Calderglen High School What is the current catchment primary school for Jackton? VS confirmed it is Mossneuk Primary School. DH added that the associated secondary school is Duncanrig.

Chair, Parent Council, Calderglen High School Is the new housing at the east of Lindsayfield not part of that same catchment area?

LK confirmed that this area (Shields Road) is associated to Castlefield Primary School.

Chair Parent Council, Calderglen High School It’s a good question - why not move Castlefield or Crosshouse? The housing developments at Lyndsayfield have had an impact on numbers. Will these not push Duncanrig over its capacity before the new houses in Jackton are built? However, it’s not just a numbers game; it’s about the bigger picture. It would be incredibly unfair for Greenhills Primary School to be affected again. The local secondary school used to be Ballerup. Then that was changed to Duncanrig Secondary and now it is proposed to change again to Calderglen High School. There is a great deal of upheaval.

DH highlighted that siblings would be able to follow on to the same secondary school to keep families together. It would be phased which mean the change would happen over a period of time.

Chair Parent Council, Calderglen High School This would mean children would be going to different schools from their neighbours. The transition of pupils needs to be looked at – new links will need to be established. This can take years.

Mossneuk parent / Jackton resident What are the timescales for these proposals?

VS explained the timescales we are looking at is to coincide with the opening of the new non- denominational primary school for the area which is predicted to be August 2021.

Chair Parent Council, Calderglen High School Why move children at all?

VS. We did look at the option of building an extension to Duncanrig Secondary School. However this option was extremely challenging in terms of costs, available space on the school site and most importantly, would have resulted in extensive and continued disruption to pupils and staff during the construction phase.

LK That is why there are the two options.

DD. This is why the options are being presented allowing parents to feedback. There are two options Jackton pupils could go to Calderglen High School.

Parent 1 - Greenhills Primary School I would not be happy for my children to walk the route to Calderglen High School. I don’t know how far it is but the walk down past the Kelvin is a long walk and in bad weather, would not be a good route. Is there any scope for a bus?

DH – over 2 miles. Perfectly legitimate to respond as individuals and not wanting their children to walk to school. I do get your point. If route is unsafe or over 2 miles, transport would be provided.

Parent 2 – Greenhills Primary School That route involves walking through an industrial estate. For young children this is unsafe, regardless of how far.

Parent and Jackton Resident Is there not a clause that there needs to be evidence that the route to school is safe?

DH. That is correct. Council road engineers have to undertake to check that safe routes to school meet the criteria.

Parent 2 – Greenhills Primary School When would this happen? Our child is due to attend Duncanrig next year.

DH. You would have the choice to attend either secondary school but the change would be triggered by the opening of the new non-denomination primary school in Jackton / East Kilbride CGA area.

DD. We are in no rush to do this but are looking for your views on the proposals as we want to assess and plan for the future. Please put your views in writing to allow us to present this in the Consultation Report that will go to the Council’s Executive Committee.

Parent and Jackton Resident In the scenario that pupils from the new school at Jackton go to Calderglen High School. How will pupils be able to attend after school activities? They can’t walk. Currently it would involve a one and a half hour walk. That’s just silly. Children should have the right to walk to school if they wish to improve health and fitness.

DD. This is something that many families face across the Council, especially in the rural area. It’s a valid point.

Chair Calderglen High The road infrastructure will change. This may be much quicker once the development is well underway or complete. This may make a better route from Jackton through Lindsayfield and down to Calderglen that way. It may be a dual carriageway?

DD . I believe this is one of the proposals that the Roads department are currently considering.

Chair Parent Council, Calderglen High School People will be able to make an informed choice, when houses come up for sale in the Community Growth Area. The majority of pupils will get dropped off by cars anyway – this is what tends to happen.

Parent and Jackton Resident Future residents are not getting a say on this. We have a responsibility to consider, in this forward planning process, of the possibility that people will have to drive past a closer secondary.

DH It is true to say that Schools and Council Officers spend a lot of time dealing with issues regarding car parking and road safety in the grounds of or close to schools.

Chair Parent Council, Calderglen High School What are the projected numbers of pupils currently getting transport now versus what this would be in the future? How many walk?

DH. We would have numbers of people allocated a place on a bus. We wouldn’t have information on how many walk or indeed how many are eligible but don’t use the bus everyday and are perhaps driven. It is a constant challenge to manage transport issues and deal with cars around schools.

Chair Parent Council, Calderglen High School Is there no extra building expected in the Calderglen catchment area?

DH confirmed that although there was still considerable, potential house building in the Duncanrig area there was very little in Calderglen’s catchment. Looking at the 7 year planning information that we use for projections for school rolls, there should still be sufficient capacity in Calderglen High School.

VS commented that there was now a good system in place for receiving early indications from planning on potential housing development. This allows forward planning as much as possible.

DD urged all those who attended to respond in writing if they had not already done so and also to go back to their individual school communities and to discuss this with other parents and interested parties and to encourage them to participate in the consultation process. He stressed that the consultation involved many factors pertinent to families, and that it was not just a numbers game and invited parents to submit their views. DD recognised there was much to consider in making sure that South Lanarkshire Council schools continue to provide high levels of quality of learning and teaching.

All attendees were invited to submit their comments on the proposals prior to the closing date of 1 December 2017.

As there were no further questions from the floor, DD thanked everyone for their attendance and participation, and closed the meeting at 6.50pm and encouraged all attendees to submit their views on the proposals.

The contents of this note of the public meeting are not direct quotations but are as close a representation of what was said as the scribes were able to achieve while taking hand written notes during the meeting. These should be regarded as paraphrased comments and they have been included to indicate the feelings and expressions of contributors as closely as possible.

Appendix 3 Report by Education Scotland

Report by Education Scotland addressing educational aspects of the proposal by South Lanarkshire Council to change the catchment areas of both Duncanrig Secondary School and Calderglen High School.

1. Introduction

1.1 This report from Education Scotland has been prepared by Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Education (HM Inspectors) in accordance with the terms of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 and the amendments contained in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. The purpose of the report is to provide an independent and impartial consideration of South Lanarkshire Council’s proposal to change the catchment areas of both Duncanrig Secondary School and Calderglen High School. Section 2 of the report sets out brief details of the consultation process. Section 3 of the report sets out HM Inspectors’ consideration of the educational aspects of the proposal, including significant views expressed by consultees. Section 4 summarises HM Inspectors’ overall view of the proposal. Upon receipt of this report, the Act requires the council to consider it and then prepare its final consultation report. The council’s final consultation report should include a copy of this report and must contain an explanation of how, in finalising the proposal, it has reviewed the initial proposal, including a summary of points raised during the consultation process and the council’s response to them. The council has to publish its final consultation report three weeks before it takes its final decision. Where a council is proposing to close a school, it needs to follow all legislative obligations set out in the 2010 Act, including notifying Ministers within six working days of making its final decision and explaining to consultees the opportunity they have to make representations to Ministers.

1.2 HM Inspectors considered:

• the likely effects of the proposal for children and young people of the schools, any other users; children likely to become pupils within two years of the date of publication of the proposal paper; and other children and young people in the council area;

• any other likely effects of the proposal;

• how the council intends to minimise or avoid any adverse effects that may arise from the proposal; and

• the educational benefits the council believes will result from implementation of the proposal, and the council’s reasons for coming to these beliefs.

1.3 In preparing this report, HM Inspectors undertook the following activities:

• consideration of all relevant documentation provided by the council in relation to the proposal, specifically the educational benefits statement and related consultation documents, written and oral submissions from parents and others; and

• visits to the site of Duncanrig Secondary School, Calderglen High School and Greenhills Primary school including discussion with relevant consultees.

2. Consultation process

2.1 South Lanarkshire Council undertook the consultation on its proposal(s) with reference to the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 and the amendments in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.

2.2 The purpose of the council’s proposal was to balance the pupil population between the two non-denominational secondary schools in East Kilbride. A new primary school is to be built following new housing developments in the Jackton (East Kilbride Community Growth) Area. A planning application for the new school is anticipated early in 2018. The area is currently zoned for Duncanrig Secondary School but the capacity of Duncanrig Secondary School is likely to be reached by 2022. Calderglen High School has spare capacity sufficient for the predicted number of additional pupils.

2.3 The council has presented two options to address the capacity issues identified. Option 1 would result in the new primary school being aligned to Calderglen High School. Option 2 would result in a change in the association of Greenhills Primary school from Duncanrig Secondary School to Calderglen High School.

2.4 The council undertook the consultation between 9 October and 1 December 2017. Copies of the proposal document were distributed to stakeholders and placed in public libraries, schools affected by the proposal and council offices. A notice of the proposal was placed in a local newspaper. A public meeting was held on 7 November in Greenhills Hall and was attended by 12 people of whom nine were parents, grandparents and local residents. Almost all who responded to the council’s proposal favoured option 1. Of the 276 responses submitted, 261 were in favour of option 1 with 12 in favour of option 2 and three expressing no clear preference.

3. Educational aspects of proposal

3.1 The main educational benefit from both options in South Lanarkshire Council’s proposal is that they would address capacity pressures at Duncanrig Secondary school and make the most efficient use of space at Calderglen High School. Option 1 would involve a new build primary school being zoned to Calderglen High School. For those pupils who currently live in the Jackton area and attend Mossneuk Primary School, parents would be offered a choice for their children to attend either Duncanrig Secondary School or Calderglen High School. Option 2 would involve a change of catchment zone for Greenhills Primary School from Duncanrig Secondary School to Calderglen High School. Siblings of pupils attending Duncanrig High School would continue to have the right to attend Duncanrig High School. Accommodation at both Duncanrig Secondary School and Calderglen High School is of a high standard. Both are modern, purpose built schools with very good facilities for learning.

3.2 South Lanarkshire Council’s existing arrangements for school transport would entitle pupils from the Jackton area to school transport under both options in the council’s proposal document. The proposed site of the new primary school is geographically closer to Duncanrig Secondary school and the journey to Calderglen High School would be slightly longer than the journey to Duncanrig High School. Under option 2, pupils from Greenhills Primary School who are eligible for school transport under South Lanarkshire Council’s existing policies would experience a journey of approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

3.3 Staff, parents and most young people from Duncanrig High School who spoke with HM Inspectors favoured option 2. They felt it made sense for the Jackton area to remain zoned to Duncanrig Secondary School as it was the closest school. They believed that there could be better potential for young people from Jackton to participate in after school activities with their peers if they were to attend Duncanrig Secondary School. A few young people who spoke with HM Inspectors favoured option 1 as they were keen to continue the links with Greenhills Primary. A few felt that under option 2, younger siblings would face a difficult choice when reaching secondary school age of moving to Calderglen High School with their peers or to Duncanrig Secondary School. Road safety issues and the current lack of public transport links to Jackton were raised as areas for concern under both options. All agreed that school facilities and the potential learning experience of young people attending either secondary school would be equally good. 3.4 Staff, parents and young people from Calderglen High School who spoke with HM Inspectors were in favour of option 1. Staff made reference to the changing demographics at the school with an ageing population in parts of the catchment area. They felt that the addition of the new housing development in the Jackton area would rebalance the mix of the pupil population. They were concerned about the potential negative impact of option 2 which would involve a change to learning community arrangements with associated primary schools. They referred to the extensive work to ensure effective pastoral and curricular transitions within the learning community. They made particular reference to the impact of work with primary schools on modern languages for which different arrangements applied between the two learning communities. Teaching staff in the Calderglen Learning Community had received extensive professional learning to improve transitions. They felt that it would be difficult to make the necessary changes involved in rezoning Greenhills Primary School under Option 2, whilst option 1 would involve a fresh start with a new school joining the existing learning community.

3.5 Parents, children and staff from Greenhills Primary School favoured option 1. They were concerned about losing the existing learning community relationships including arrangements for transition to Duncanrig Secondary School. Parents were concerned about the potential separation of siblings or peers under option 2. Staff emphasised that they had worked within the existing learning community on an improvement plan with clear priorities for shared work on curricular areas. They felt that they would have to revisit this in a new context under option 2 and that this could be potentially disruptive to children’s learning and to teachers’ work. Among the areas of concern under option 2 cited by parents and some staff were poor public transport links, safe routes to school and increased distance. A few questioned the accuracy of the statement in the consultation document which stated that Greenhills Primary School was the closest school with a sufficient pupil roll to have the necessary impact on secondary pupil numbers at Calderglen High School.

4. Summary

• Both options in South Lanarkshire Council’s proposal offer the clear educational benefit of addressing the capacity issues at Duncanrig Secondary School associated with new housing developments. Option 1 involves zoning a new build primary school to Calderglen High School and this would require a slightly longer travel time than to Duncanrig Secondary School. The new primary school would be expected to establish appropriate links to their allocated Learning Community under either option.

• Option 2 would involve a change to relationships between existing schools with Greenhills Primary School being rezoned from Duncanrig Secondary School to Calderglen High School. This could have a negative impact on current collaborative work in the two Learning Communities and could result in additional workload for staff. It would also represent a change to arrangements for parents and children who raised concerns about children being potentially separated from either their peers or siblings on transition to secondary school. The educational benefits of Option 2 to Greenhills Primary School are not sufficiently clear. South Lanarkshire Council would need to consider what steps it can take to address concerns raised should it decide to implement this option.

• Staff, parents and children raised questions regarding public transport links, entitlement to school transport now and in the future and safe routes to school under both options. South Lanarkshire Council will need to address these concerns in its final report.

HM Inspectors Education Scotland December 2017